wait for it
Dramatic pause phrase
Wait for it is a phrase inserted before surprising, impressive, or anticlimactic information, signaling the listener to pause for effect: He's a doctor, a lawyer, and—wait for it—a professional clown.
It mimics dramatic buildup, often used ironically when the payoff is mundane.
Also used literally to tell someone to hold off on an action until the right moment.
- interjectionEmotional outcry word class
- brace yourselfPrepare for impact
- hold your breathStop breathing temporarily
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- moment of truthDecisive instant of revelation
expectation · postponement · buildup · suspense · pregnant pause · punchline · plot twist · dramatic effect · timing · twist · lingering · unveiling · climax · drum roll · comedic timing · setup · tension · emphasis
- Revelation phrasesaha, eureka, voila, ta-da, behold
- anticipationanticipating, expectation, expectancy, expecting, awaiting
- How I Met Your MotherBarney Stinson, Robin, Tracy, legendary, suit up
- readinessready, prepared, set, alert, primed
wait for itspoiler alert
Courtesy before plot disclosure
cutting to the chase · long story short · bottom line · without further ado · right now
wait for itbluntly
Speaking without diplomacy
frankly · here's the thing · matter-of-factly · anticlimactically
wait for itright this instant
now · hurry up · get on with it · spit it out · out with it
wait, waits, waited, waiting, waiter, waiters, waitress, waitresses